“Why would they want us to know they stole the princess?” I asked.“It’s the location that matters,” Veronica explained.“If it was the rebels who kidnapped her,” Julian added, “It was likely they intended to start a war, even then.” He looked back to the list. “I wonder how my parents were able to

“You worried about going home?” Julian asked.“A little,” I admitted. “I’m not sure what the people will think when they see where I come from.”Julian shrugged nonchalantly. “They like you in part because of your humble origins, Piper. You have nothing to worry about.”If only it was that simple. “

In the bedroom, Nicholas and Charlotte helped Elva and I pack our bags for our weekend homecoming trip. I pick out many subtle outfits for Elva and me. Back home, people would notice if we dressed too expensive. It might even have painted targets on our backs.Elva, however, didn’t understand. When

As the car entered the neighborhoods that I recognized, I grew more and more tense. Nicholas squeezed me tighter, likely trying to offer what comfort that he could. But there was little comfort to be had.I didn’t mind the smaller place. I didn’t even mind the harsher lifestyle.But I didn’t want to

Elva and I dressed in our frumpiest clothes. Elva wore a hat with covers that went down over the ears. I tied my hair up and wore one of Anna’s wigs. It was darker than my own hair color, with bangs that hid most of my face.I barely recognized myself in the mirror. I doubted anyone else would be ab

Anna’s words stayed with me all through the night. I was haunted by them, even as I eventually drifted off to sleep on the air mattress.Was I truly considering the King’s demand because I wanted what was best for the country? Or was I simply hiding, pushing off responsibility to return to a life of

Nicholas’s lips were soft. His touch light, a barely-there caress, as he held my face so near to his own.I didn’t register the sound of a door opening at first, so fully engrossed as I was with the man in front of me. It wasn’t until I fluttered my eyes open and saw a figure walking past, that I st

On the ride back, my thoughts were buzzing. Everything I learned this trip, combined with the things Susie told me before I left, mixed with my own wants and desires, filled my heart with hopes and worries both.I needed time to sit with these thoughts, sort through them all, and determine what I sh

“Mark,” Nicholas said in his cool, authoritative tone. Mark lowered his head, deferring at once, even as his jaw stayed clenched. “What exactly is your plan?”“I don’t have one,” Mark said. “Not beyond throwing myself at her parents’ feet. But I will spirit her away if I must. If…” For the first tim

That evening, after dinner, I met Nicholas and Mark near the front door of the palace. Then, we walked to the waiting car and a driver took us to Susie’s family estate.As pulled through the gate, I was amazed by the sheer size of the building. It wasn’t the size of the palace, but the palace was th